PHS students excel in national theater competition

Tuesday

Mar 12, 2019 at 11:44 AMMar 12, 2019 at 2:37 PM

By Jeanné McCartin

Once again, the Portsmouth High School theater department proves just how fabulous its young thespians are.

For the second year running, Theater Director Alden Caple brought an auditioned group of students to compete in a national theater competition. This year they attended "Imagine," a new event, at Disneyland-California Adventure, California.

The 25 students arrived home last month with 14 awards in hand.

"The big thing for me was how much they really grew as artists, and appreciators of the business of theater," Caple says. "Everyone of the students is changed slightly for the better from the experience."

The "cast" departed on at 4 a.m. on Jan. 31, and were in Santa Monica that afternoon. For the next two days, they spent their time taking part in workshops, and master classes, auditioning, taking part in competitions and watching other groups from across the country perform.

"All that combined creates not only a fun, amazing, unforgettable weekend, but learning opportunities," Caple says. "The amount of learning they did from the moment they arrived 'til leaving is incredible."

Competition adjudicators included Disney artists and industry professionals, who have worked on Broadway and in national tours, film, and television.

It's an opportunity to work with some of the top professionals, and take an "accelerated crash course" in the musical theater industry, Caple says. "Students get to work one-on-one with (professionals). The experience is invaluable."

The actors performed in different divisions based on age. Categories included Solos, Duets, Small Group and Large Group Ensemble and prop designs based on competition prompts.

This year's First Place Awards included: Small and Large Group Ensemble; Madison McCann and Willow Forbes for Duets, Encore Division, and Liam Blanchard and Siara Carrillo-Tracey in the Ovation Division. Gavin Blonda took first in Solos, Encore Division. In addition there were three Second placements and four Third, with Portsmouth sweeping one Duet Encore Division, and one Solo Category.

Prop Design by Levi Bast and Grace Jordan-Gold scored 99 out of 100.

Isabella Romero was the recipient of the "Spirit of Imagine Award," a singular distinction. The award summary states it is awarded to an individual who embodies the event's spirit, is open to critique, and honors the spirit of fair competition and teamwork.

Romero's ability to perform professionally in spite of being ill had the jurors "blown away," Caple says.

Seven PHS students were selected from a cattle-call to perform in a production number at the awards banquet: Liam Blanchard, Zach Ledoux, Gavin Blonda, Teagan Burke, Riley Emery, Siara Carrillo-Tracey and Suzie Scharff.

Topping off the honors, Portsmouth High School received the Christine Pedi Award for Excellence in Theatre, "which goes to the school with the accumulative highest score," Caple says.

"It was a pretty fantastic weekend," Caple says. "It's not only about being tested on a national stage, but getting them critique and feedback from industry professionals whom they wouldn't otherwise have an opportunity to work with. ... We are trying to give opportunity to our kids, and this was an opportunity to grow."

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